InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ In Death, Trust Me, as You Didn't in Life ❯ Under the Crescent Moon ( Chapter 19 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 19: Under the Crescent Moon

Kagome groaned as she began to regain consciousness, wondering once again where she was, and stiffened when the pain in her body began to register.

What... what happened?

The minute she moved, a noise intruded into her mind... a deep, thrumming sound that was strangely soothing, and she allowed herself to go limp, somehow knowing she was safe.

"Be calm, miko - I will not allow anyone to harm you again, this I swear to you."

As soon as she heard that voice, everything that had happened came back to her, and she gasped, forcing her eyes open, she found herself gazing into molten gold eyes... eyes she had begun to wonder if she would ever see again.

"Sesshoumaru," she whispered. "You... you came for me." Slowly, she raised her hand, running a finger along his crests, wonder in her eyes.

"I will always come, Kagome, never doubt that. You need to stay still - you took several blows to the head." He held her gaze for a moment, then looked up. "We will be setting up camp so that your injuries may be treated, and so you can rest and recover."

With a tiny smile, she let her hand fall back onto her stomach. "Okay. What about you? Are you okay? Where have you been?"

He put a finger to her lips, then, and shook his head. "So many questions, little one. I am fine, and as for the rest, it can wait until later."

She pouted for a moment at that, then smiled groggily at him. "Oh, alright." With that, she relaxed into his shoulder and sighed deeply, content and at peace for the first time since being brought back, and closed her eyes, swiftly drifting to sleep.

She looks so happy - who would ever have believed it? Sango thought, watching as the demon Lord tightened his already possessive grasp on the miko in his arms.

"Uh, Lord Sesshoumaru?" She gestured at the clearing ahead of them. "I think this will make a good campsite - there's water just through those bushes, and it's defensible as well." They were backed up to a cliff face, with the clearing surrounded on three sides by cliff walls.

Sesshoumaru let his gaze move over it, and then nodded. "It is sufficient." He moved over towards the base of the cliff, and sat down, arranging Kagome comfortably in his lap; she was dozing, and he didn't want to disturb her until it was necessary.

"Once Inuyasha and the others arrive, Kagome has bedding that I can set up for her, and I'll be able to get her some medicines she carries for pain and fever," Sango offered, feeling a bit uncomfortable at being alone with him in the clearing - alone with them.

He lowered his head to Kagome, and inhaled deeply, taking in her scent, nuzzling softly into her beautiful raven locks. He frowned, and said, "She does not have a fever, slayer."

"This medicine takes care of both pain and fever, or even one or the other. It is from her home." She smiled tentatively at them. "It won't harm her to take it - it will just ensure that she suffers no pain from the blows to her head."

"That is agreeable, then." He looked up, meeting her gaze. "What has occurred to my miko since we were returned to this realm?"

Sango was at a loss as he so casually and openly claimed her best friend, and she blinked, unsure of what to say.

"Well... Kagome was most insistent that we find you, so she immediately headed in the direction she said she could feel your aura, with only a quick stop in the village to gather Rin and Jaken, and Ah-Uhn." She sighed, irritation kicking in. "Of course, it's hard to make good time, when you are fighting off lower level demons every time you take a breath."

"It is most irritating, I agree, slayer. There are many running rampant all across the lands." With that, he turned his gaze back on the woman in his arms. "It is causing much upheaval - Kagome and I will have much to do to restore order in the West."

Just then, Inuyasha led the rest of the group into the clearing, and sliding Kikyou off his back, he stalked over to his brother, growling all the while. "What the fuck do you mean, 'Kagome and I'? She ain't goin' nowhere with you, asshole!"

Sesshoumaru completely ignored his brother, and catching Sango's eye, said, "Slayer, I would be grateful if you would prepare her bedding as you offered to do."

Sango sent a nod his way, then tossed Inuyasha a glare. "No problem, Lord Sesshoumaru - just give me a few moments."

Rin, in the meantime, had finally made it into the clearing, and when she saw who was sitting before her, she almost tumbled off the dragon, adoration and total joy showing on her sweet face, but before she could scream and throw herself at him, he looked up at her and said, "Rin, you will wait. Kagome is injured, and you must not touch her, or be too loud."

The little girl nodded immediately, falling right back into the habit of obedience, a fact that Sesshoumaru was extremely grateful for; Jaken, however...

"LORD SESSHOUMARU!!!" he shrieked, waking every sleeping and probably every dead thing for miles around, and causing Kagome to jerk awake in shock.

Before the toad could even so much as take a step towards his master, he was singed across the chest with a poison whip. "Silence, Jaken!" Sesshoumaru hissed, eyes narrowed on his retainer, and the toad fell face first in the dirt, a joyous expression crossing his face as his master was once again able to cause him pain.

Everyone else in the clearing just rolled their eyes at the toad, and proceeded to setting up a comfortable camp - all except Inuyasha, who was still growling, staring with near hatred at his brother, who was wrapped around Kagome protectively, and still ignoring him.

"Oi, bastard, you'd better put her down and get the hell away from her. I don't know what the fuck you meant back there with Koga, sayin' she's yours, but I ain't lettin' you have her!"

Sesshoumaru growled at the mention of the wolf, and his eyes flashed red, but other than that, he did not respond to his brother's words, instead looking down at the woman in his arms.

"The slayer has mentioned that you have medicines for pain."

Kagome kept her eyes on him, trying to ignore Inuyasha's growling and snarling, and nodded. "In my bag."

She smiled up at him then, whispering, "I missed you - so much. Please... don't ever leave me like that again?"

Sesshoumaru found himself trapped in her gaze, hearing those words - words he'd almost lost hope of ever hearing her say... at least to him. "I did not leave you this time of my own accord, Kagome, you know this." At that, he glanced up, glaring over at his brother, and with a growl of his own at the angered half-demon, he said, "I would not leave you of my own free will, ever - and I will never let the interference of another cause such a separation again."

With that, he stood, as Sango nodded over at him that she was prepared for Kagome, and gliding smoothly across the clearing, he settled her into the bedding that had been rolled out for her, running a hand along her cheekbone when she proved reluctant to let go of him.

"I am not going anywhere, koi," he said, watching as her face lit up with joy as she took in the endearment. "I promise, I will stay here, but you need to rest."

She nodded, and lay back as he settled her down, turning a bit to the side to avoid putting any pressure on the lump on her head. She smiled at Sango as she handed her a small cup of water and several pain relievers.

"Thanks, Sango," she said, softly. "It'll be nice to get rid of this pounding headache."

Sango smiled at her, and Kagome looked around, confused for a moment. "Hey, where's Rin? I was sure she'd be so happy to see Sesshoumaru here that she'd knock him flat on his back!"

"Rin has seen me, however, I bid her to wait to greet me, as I was holding you at the time." He looked over to the small girl, who'd been waiting for him to settle Kagome, practically bouncing in place. "You may come now, Rin, but use care not to harm Kagome."

Rin shot up and practically flew towards her beloved demon Lord, and while they were enjoying their reunion, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha, and frowned.

This is going to get messy, I bet. He looks pissed - but dammit, he needs to get over it. He's got Kikyou, she glanced at the elder miko, then back at Inuyasha, and if he keeps acting like a baka, he's gonna lose her, too - just like he did me.

Eyes narrowing thoughtfully, she looked away. Perhaps the best way to deal with things would be to bluntly inform the group of her relationship with the demon Lord... and then she frowned. What was her relationship with him, anyway?

It had never been discussed, really, they'd been pulled back here before they'd been able to get everything between them straightened out. She peeked over at him from beneath her bangs, and found him watching her as Rin sat at his feet, smiling, just happy to be near him again.

Kikyou had watched the interaction between the gorgeous demon Lord and Kagome, and what she saw definitely made her happy. And a bit jealous, if she were honest. Demon or not, the Lord of the West was one of the most beautiful males she'd ever laid eyes on, and it was obvious, even though he was not overly demonstrative, that in his eyes, the sun rose and fell on Kagome's say so.

She glanced over at a very aggravated and jealous Inuyasha, and almost felt sorry for him. Seeing Kagome like this, with his brother, couldn't be easy, and she had the feeling that things for him were only going to get worse before they got better. It was going to take a while for him to understand his real feelings for Kagome, and it was going to be a painful journey.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome, almost able to tell her thoughts just from the expressions crossing her face, and knew that they were going to have to have a talk. They had been pulled apart before they could settle things between them, and he was not about to allow that state of affairs to continue.

If she would allow it, if she was ready, she would be his mate. That was the end that he was after, and he wouldn't accept anything less. And he would make damn sure that his brother and everyone else knew she was his until such time as he could mate her - there would be no doubts in anyone's minds, the world would know who this woman belonged to.

Miroku had been the last to enter the clearing, with Shippo perched on his shoulder, and the two were quite shocked to see the closeness between Kagome and Sesshoumaru. It just seemed so out of character for the cold demon lord to show such attention to anyone - let alone a human.

But after watching them for a while, both came to the same conclusion. Looking back over the many encounters they'd had with him, they began to realize that he had always shown emotion, even if mostly negative ones - just in small amounts. He wasn't emotionless, he was just naturally more reticent in personality, and on top of that, he had a centuries-honed control that kept him focused, no matter the situation.

What he was showing with Kagome was no different. There weren't any over-board emotional displays, just a quiet, devoted affection and love that was shown more through actions than words.

Miroku smiled a bit at that, it was just what their sometimes excitable friend needed, truthfully, if his opinion were to be known, he felt those two a much better match than Kagome and Inuyasha had ever been. He had the feeling that fights between Sesshoumaru and Kagome would be few and far between.

Speaking of which... he glanced inconspicuously at Inuyasha, and winced in sympathy at the expression on the half-demon's face. I think that Inuyasha is going to get a very lethal dose in the next few days of just what he put Kagome through for so many years. Hopefully, he wakes up before he loses Kikyou, too.

"Kagome."

She glanced up, eyes droopy, half-asleep. "Hmm?"

"After you have eaten, we will speak." He flashed a quick glance at his brother, as Inuyasha began to growl again. "Alone."

Kagome nodded slightly, a tiny smile on her lips and a still rather dazed expression on her face. "Okay." Then something occurred to her and she frowned. "Uh, it's not anything... bad, is it?"

Face expressionless, he met Inuyasha's angered gaze. "No. However, it is necessary."

"Hm." She thought about it for a minute, then shrugged. "Alright."

Inuyasha growled again, glaring over at her. "Keh! What the fuck, Kagome? Why does the frigid bastard need to talk to you all privately, hm? Is he really gonna talk?" he asked snidely.

"Inuyasha!" she snapped, sending an indignant look his way. "Whether we talk, or not, is none of your business, got it!" She sniffed and turned her head away, wincing as she bumped the lump on the back of her head.

"Mind your own business, half-breed. The miko - at least, this miko, is no longer any concern of yours. Do not make me repeat myself." Sesshoumaru didn't even turn his head, prefering to keep his eyes on something worthwhile - in other words, Kagome.

Before the irate half-demon could reply to either of their statements, Kikyou put out a hand and wrapped it around his arm. "Inuyasha, now is not the time for this. I suggest you go hunt us up something for dinner, alright? The longer you wait to do so, the longer it will be before you eat."

"Fuck! Fine... but I ain't feeding Lord asshole over there - he can find his own food."

At that, Sesshoumaru stood, flicking a disdainful glance at his brother. "I will hunt for my own pack, you may take care of yours." He turned and began to head into the trees, then paused.

"Kagome is my pack, Inuyasha, so she will eat from what I bring back." Before Inuyasha could say a word to repudiate him, he was gone, disappearing under the trees like a phantom.

Inuyasha snarled, rage flickering in his eyes. In the year that his brother had been gone, his anger had abated quite a bit, and if asked during that time, he would have said that he no longer hated his brother - but now, oh now, if asked, he would tell you that he hated him more now than he ever had - and all in only a few hours of being forced into his company again.

"Fuck!" He yelled, filled with a heated rage and no one to take it out on.

Spinning on his heel, he stormed off into the trees, making sure to take a different direction than his half-brother - it would not be a good idea for them to meet at this point. He needed time to cool down.

Those left behind in the clearing stared after the two brothers.

This was certainly bad news - Inuyasha's jealousy was going to cause trouble.

---wWw---

Kagome sighed, feeling full, warm, and content, knowing that her Lord was finally with her again. Even though it had barely been a few days that they'd been apart, it had felt like years to her. As amazing as it was, she'd found the person she wanted to devote herself to for as long as she lived - and it wasn't Inuyasha.

No - instead, it was the one person she'd never even thought of... his brother, Sesshoumaru.

Who'd have ever thought that a guy like that, so handsome and powerful, would even look at me? I mean, I'm average, and human - a thought of something like this happening would never crossed my mind. But am I ever glad that he waited for me...

She looked up as he stood, and moved closer to her, effortlessly lifting her into his arms. At her startled look, he said, "It is time for us to talk, miko. Did you forget?" he asked, a regal brow tilting into his bangs.

"Oh!" She grinned sheepishly, looking down. "Yeah, I guess I did. Dinner was so good, and with everything that's happened, I was just getting ready to doze off. But it's okay," she said quickly, as he started to put her back down, "we can talk now, I'm not that tired."

"No."

Both people froze as Inuyasha's voice came, looking across the fire at him.

"What did you just say, Inuyasha? I know you didn't try to tell me what I can and cannot do!" Kagome growled out, irritated furrows appearing on her brow.

Inuyasha stood slowly, eyes hidden behind his bangs, and his aura beginning to swell. "I said no, wench. You've been acting weird since you came back, and I say fine, whatever, but you are not going off with that prick alone. Hell, you shouldn't even be up - you need to rest after what happened earlier."

Kagome shook her head as Sesshoumaru once again went to put her down, only this time so he could get his hands on his brother. "No, just hold onto me, Sesshoumaru." With her eyes holding his gaze with a pleading look, he sighed almost unnoticeably, and nodded.

Turning back to a narrow-eyed half-demon, she sighed, a saddened look crossing her face. "Is this how it's going to end, then, Inuyasha?" She trembled a bit at the shocked, frightened look that settled on his features, tears pooling in the corners of her eyes. "I will always be your friend, but if you make me choose..." she trailed off as he jerked back from her, and she finished, the words falling like shards of glass into a deadly silent clearing, "I will choose him."

Inuyasha hunched his shoulders, horror showing clearly in his eyes as he finally began to understand that Kagome was no longer his - once he had had a choice to make, between Kikyou, and Kagome.

Now, he didn't.

The choice had been made - and not by him.

She would never be his again.

Eyes wide, anguish showing in them, he turned and took off out of the clearing like a bat out of hell...

And no one knew when, or even if, he'd be back.

Kagome buried her face into Sesshoumaru's haori as tears wound their way down her cheeks, absently thinking she was glad that he'd removed his armor earlier - she didn't need any more injuries. Her head was bad enough, and now her heart hurt, too. She had never wanted to hurt him that way - but he had to understand where she stood.

Sesshoumaru almost lost his stoic expression to a triumphant smile - she had chosen him, out loud and in front of not only her entire group, but Inuyasha as well.

As he turned and walked out of the clearing holding his most precious possession, his heart smiled when he couldn't, and he looked up at the sky... not surprised to find that a pale, crescent moon hung in the sky.

It was... appropriate, he decided.

He had been chosen under the crescent moon.

---wWw---

A/N: Next up, the two finally get to talk and Sesshoumaru lets Kagome in on what he wants from her - and we peek in on Kagura. Also a bit of Inuyasha and his thoughts on what's happened - more angst.

Hope this chapter didn't disappoint...

Amber